The Washington Capitals were on ice Wednesday morning for a practice as they prepare for a back to back set of games Thursday and Friday against the Flyers and Jets, respectively. Some updates from Kettler Capitals Iceplex:

For the 8th time in 9 days, injured center Nicklas Backstrom skated in a private session for about 35 minutes with strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish before his teammates took to the ice. Backstrom was skating around in laps, skating harder in between the blue lines, and seemed to be pushing himself more as he continues to work back from his concussion. Backstrom also was doing agility drills, including tight turns, and shooting a good deal of pucks. He looked in good spirits throughout. He did not speak with the media, but Dale Hunter said he is doing better and will start doing “more” next week.

Tomas Vokoun was absent from practice again, as he has a groin injury that has rendered him unable to even dress for the Caps’ last two games. That means that Braden Holtby practiced with the team again. Hunter continued to insist that he’s “fine.” Take from that what you will.

Alexander Semin was also absent from practice because of a “maintenance day,” according to a Capitals spokesman. However, Semin did not take a shift after the 12:25 mark of the third period of Monday’s game, so he may be nursing an injury. As such, the lines were as follows: Ovechkin-Laich-Brouwer, Johansson-Aucoin-Knuble, Ward-Perreault-Chimera, and Hendricks-Halpern-Beagle.